Understanding spinal circuits to improve recovery in cervical myelopathy
Official title: Dissecting spinal interneuron circuits to augment neurological recovery in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM)
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-11046588 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to help people with degenerative cervical myelopathy, a condition that affects movement and can cause disability, by exploring how certain nerve circuits in the spine can be used to improve recovery and motor function after surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 2, 2024 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS134644-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11046588 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with degenerative cervical myelopathy who have undergone surgical decompression but continue to experience upper limb functional deficits.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not undergone surgical treatment for degenerative cervical myelopathy or those with other unrelated neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), a condition that leads to significant disability due to spinal cord injury. The study aims to explore the neural circuits involved in upper limb function and how they can be targeted to enhance recovery after surgical treatment. By investigating specific spinal interneuron populations, the research seeks to develop new therapeutic strategies that could improve motor function and quality of life for patients who have undergone decompression surgery. The approach includes advanced neuromodulation techniques to potentially restore lost functions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved motor function and quality of life for patients suffering from DCM.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of targeting spinal interneurons in DCM is novel, similar neuromodulation strategies have shown promise in other neurological conditions.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Satkunendrarajah, Kajana — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Satkunendrarajah, Kajana
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.